Seven years after first entering the Championship Boerewors Competition, Quinton Erasmus has secured his first place in South Africa’s iconic Championship Boerewors Top 10.

“It means everything,” says the 39-year-old from Brackenfell. “I’ve entered the competition for the past seven years and have been refining my recipe all that time. So when I got the email saying I’m a finalist, I was so excited.”

Quinton joined the Shoprite Group as a driver in 2018, working his way up through the business. When a meat market manager at the Home Office had to go on leave, he stepped in to relieve him – an experience that paved the way for him to be officially promoted into management.

“My career path shows that consistency and a willingness to learn truly open doors,” he says.

In 2024 he qualified as a master butcher and today he works as trade readiness and support specialist in the meat market division. “I love the craft of taking meat and transforming it into top-quality cuts for our customers. Seeing excellent products on the shelf gives me great satisfaction,” he says.

Recipe seven years in the making

Now he’s bringing that experience to the Top 10. His family knows how much time he has devoted to the competition and has shared in the excitement of him being a finalist.

Developing the recipe over seven years also taught Quinton not to change too much at once.

“The biggest challenge was being patient and trusting the process,” he says. “Nothing should be overpowering. It’s about the right amount of spice, quality meat and a bit of love.”

Quinton and the other finalists will compete at the Championship Boerewors grand finale in Cape Town on 15 August. His preparations include practising his recipe and working on staying calm under pressure.

“I’m preparing mentally to give my best and bring my A-game,” he says.

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Now in its 34th year, the Championship Boerewors Competition celebrates South Africa’s finest traditional boerewors recipes. Entries are judged by a panel of expert South African chefs according to strict guidelines for traditional boerewors.

The winning recipe will go on sale at Shoprite and Checkers stores nationwide later this year. The winner will drive away in a new Toyota Fortuner 2.4 GD-6 RB AT valued at more than R700 000 and receive R20 000 in cash. The runner-up will receive R50 000, while the third-place finalist will receive R30 000.